Research on history of Jat clans

Chandravarman: the Jat Ruler in Rarh region

Chandravarman (चन्द्रवर्मा) was a ruler in 4th century of Pakhanna in Bankura district in West Bengal. Pakhanna is considered to be the same as Pushkarana, once the capital of Chandravarman, son of Simhavarman, the extent of whose dominions may have been more or less coterminous with ancient Rarh region or south-west Bengal. It is the place mentioned in the Susunia inscription and dates back to 4th century AD.[1][2]

Chandravarman was Defeated by Samudragupta

According to the inscription on the Allahabad pillar Chandravarman was defeated by Samudragupta and the area became a part of the Gupta Empire.[3]

Tejram Sharma[4] gives details about the King Chandravarman as One of the kings of Aryavarta defeated by Samudragupta.

Allahabad pillar inscription of Samudragupta mentions about King Chandravarman in Line 21 which says:

"(L. 21.)- Who abounded in majesty that had been increased by violently exterminating Rudradeva, Matila, Nāgadatta, Chandravarman, Ganapatināga, Nāgasena,Achyutanandin, Balavarman, and many other kings of (the land of) Āryāvarta;-who made all the kings of the forest countries to become (his) servants;"[5]

References -

1. Ghosh, Binoy, Paschim Banger Sanskriti, (in Bengali), part I, 1976 edition, p. 408-409, Prakash Bhaban
2. Majumdar, R.C., History of Ancient Bengal, pp. 32, 444, Tulshi Prakashani.
3. Sengupta, Nitish, History of the Bengali-speaking People, p.21, UBS Publishers’ Distributors Pvt. Ltd.
4. Personal and geographical names in the Gupta inscriptions/Names of Feudatory Kings and High Officers, p.47
5. रुद्रदेव-मतिल-नागदत्त-चन्द्रवर्मा-गणपतिनाग-नागसेनाच्युत-नन्दि-बल-वर्म्मा-द्यनेकार्य्यावर्त्त- राज-प्रसभोद्धरणोद्धृत-प्रभाव-महत: परिचारकीकृत-सर्व्वाटविक-राजस्य
 
Chandravarman: the Jat Ruler in Rarh region(Contd)

It is very interesting to known about the Kingdom of Chandravarman and his capital. Some reputed historians interpreted his capital Pushakarana with Pokhran in Rajasthan. Thakur Deshraj interpreted with Pushkar. Now we have obtained authentic Inscription about Chandravarman and his capital.

Susunia inscription of Chandravarman dated 4th century AD

The Indian Archaeology Blogspot[1] provides us following information about Susunia inscriptions of 4th Century A D From Ancient History of Bengal, vol. I, on Susunia inscriptions:

The Susunia Rock inscription,the earliest reference to the cult of Vaishnavism, is a short Sanskrit inscription in three lines engraved in Brahmi script on Susunia hill, recording the installation of an image of Vishnu during the reign of Chandravarman.

The first two lines of it incised below a big wheel (chakra) with flaming rib and hub, refer to it as the work of the illustrious Maharaja Chandravarman, the lord of Pushkarna....

The third line is incised to the right of the wheel, but its reading and consequently its meaning is not very clear. It certainly refers to the dedication (of the cave) to Chakrasvamin, which literally means the 'wielder of the discuss, i.e., Vishnu...It may be reasonably inferred that the excavated cave, on the wall of which the inscription was incised, was intended to be a temple of Vishnu. Suniti Chattapadhaya "holds that Puskarana mentioned in Susuniya inscription is the modern Pokarnya or Pakharna situated in Bankura District of which Candravarma was the king." (Prachin Vanger Puskarna-janapad - in Vangasri, 1339-40 B.S., 1932-33 A.D., pt. 1, p. 135-136).

On the rock face another script is visible, which is "Sankha Lipi (script)" from a period between 8th to 10th Century A.D. Till date this Sankha Lipi can not be deciphered. Many observe this not as script but symbols.

Radhakumud Mookerji [2] writes that Susunia Rock inscription describes Chandravarma as ruler of Pushakarana (village near Susunia hill in Bankura district). The Susunia inscription describes Chandravarma as son of Simhavarma. Mandsaur inscription of Malwa year 461 = AD 404 also mentions Simhavarma,son of Jayavarma and father of Naravarma. The Gangdhar inscription of Malwa year 480 = AD 423 mentions Vishvavarma as son of Naravarma. The Mandsaur inscription of Malwa year 493 = AD 436 and 529 = AD 472 refers to Gopta Nripa Vishvavarma and his son nripa Bandhuvarma as feudatories at Dashapur under Kumaragupta I. Thus these three inscriptions testify to the following line of Malwa Kings:

Simhavarma → Naravarma (AD 404) → Vishvavarma (AD 423) → Bandhuvarma (AD 426)

The Simhavarma of this list is counted by H P Sastri as identical with Simhavarma, with his son Chandravarma, as mentioned in the Susunia inscription, in which case Chandravarma becomes a brother of Naravarma.

References -

1. Indian Archaeology Blogspot
2. The Gupta Empire,p.9
 
If Samudragupta was a Jat and if Chandravarman was also a Jat what were they fightin about? What vestiges we have of the Jats in North Bengal where Chandravarman is

supposed to have ruled?
 
Rana Sahab we can give simple reply from the history of Bharatpur. Rustam, a Jat chieftain belonging to the Sogariya clan founded Chau Burj. Maharaja Suraj Mal was the state's greatest ruler; he made the state a formidable force in the region. Suraj Mal took over the site of Chau Burj from Khemkaran, a son of Rustam, and established it as the capital of his state, founding the city and the fort of Bharatpur. He fortified the city by building a massive wall around it.

So king only will fight with the other king may it be Jat or any other Kshatriya.

Reason - Fertile agricultural land
 
Further research on Rarh region or Gangaridae

In Mahabharata

The Rarh region in Mahabharata was known as Suhma (सुह्म). We find mention Suhma in the north in Arjuna's Conquest and also in Bhima's Conquests in East. Bhima's Conquests in East also mentions two Suhma Kingdoms.

Arjuna's Conquest: Arjuna was sent north by Yudhisthira to subjugate kingdoms for the Rajasuya Yagya, after crowning as the Emperor of Indraprastha.Sabha Parva, Mahabharata/Book II Chapter 24 & Sabha Parva, Mahabharata/Book II Chapter 25 tell us countries Arjuna subjugated. The list includes: Suhma (सुह्म) [ततः सिंहपुरं रम्यं चित्रायुधसुरक्षितम, परामदथ बलम आस्दाय पाकशासनिर आहवे (II.24.19) ततः सुह्मांश च चॊलांश च किरीटी पाण्डवर्षभः, सहितः सर्वसैन्येन परामदत कुरुनन्थनः (II.24.20)]

Bhim Singh Dahiya writes that Arjuna conquers Suhma and Chola in the North. The Suhma are the Summa of Sindh at the time of Arab invasion, and the Chola/ Chahal clan, respectively. (Jats the Ancient Rulers ( A clan study), p. 290 )

Mahabharata mentions Suhma (II.24.20) in north after the kingdom of Sinhapura (II.24.19). Singhapura or Sinhapura was one of Buddhist Kingdoms visited by Xuanzang in 631 AD. Alexander Cunningham[38] has identified Singhapura with Katas village near Choa Saidanshah in the Chakwal district of Punjab in Pakistan.

Bhima's Conquests: Bhima was sent out to the East, since Bhishma thought the easterners were skilled in fighting from the backs of elephants and in fighting with bare arms, he deemed Bhima to be the most ideal person to wage wars in that region. The Mahabharata mentions several kingdoms to the east of Indraprastha which were conquered by Bhima. According to Sabha Parva, Mahabharata/Book II Chapter 26 & Sabha Parva, Mahabharata/Book II Chapter 27 Bhimasena subjugated the countries including: Suhmas (सुह्म) [ततः सुह्मान पराच्य सुह्मान समक्षांश चैव वीर्यवान, विजित्य युधि कौन्तेयॊ मागधान उपयाथ बली (II.27.14) सुह्मानाम अधिपं चैव ये च सागरवासिनः, सर्वान मलेच्छ गणांश चैव विजिग्ये भरतर्षभः (II.27.23)]


Srimad Bhgavatam: By the semen of Dirghatama in the wife of Bali, the emperor of the world, six sons took birth, namely Anga, Vanga, Kalinga, Suhma, Pundra and Odra [ (SB9.23.5)]

B S Dahiya gives us hint on its name as Suhma given by Summa or Samma people of Sindh. Samma Jats in eastern region gave name as Suhma. We have reference to three Suhma Kingdoms in Mahabharata.
 
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Pandu Rajar Dhibi excavations in Rarh

Pandu Rajar Dhibi is an archaeological site in Bardhaman district in West Bengal. It was the first Chalcolithic site discovered in West Bengal. The main mound at Pandu Rajar Dhibi is associated with King Pandu mentioned in Mahabharata.[1][2]


The site was first excavated by B.B. Lal in 1954-57.[3] While Pandu Rajar Dhibi was the first Chalcolithic or Copper Age site to be discovered, a number of other sites have been discovered in an area spread over the districts of Birbhum, Bardhaman, Bankura and Midnapore, and interspersed by rivers Brahmani, Mayurakshi, Kopai, Ajay, Kunur, Damodar, Dwarakesvar, Shilabati, and Rupnarayan.[4]

There were two main periods – the Chalcolithic period around 1600 BC – 750 BC, and the Iron Age.[5]

The excavations at Pandu Raiar Dhibi reveal the non-Aryan origin of the majority of non-Brahmin Bengalis. The Copper Age civilisation in eastern India had links with similar civilisation of central India and Rajasthan. In those days the people were capable of building well planned towns with pavements and streets. Agriculture and trade were the mainstays of their economy. It has been suggested that Pandu Rajar Dhibi represents the ruins of a trading township. The people carried out trade not only with interior parts of India but also distant lands such as Crete and the Mediterranean lands. They were predominantly a seafaring people.[6]

The Copper Age civilisation in eastern India had links with similar civilisation of Rajasthan as proved above. That is why we find common clans in Rajasthan and Eastern India part under discussion.

References -

1.Chattopadhyay, Akkori, Bardhaman Jelar Itihas O Lok Sanskriti (History and Folklore of Bardhaman District.), (Bengali), Vol I, pp. 125-130, Radical Impression. ISBN 81-85459-36-3
2. Mukherjee, Shyam Chand. "Pandu Rajar Dhibi". Banglapedia. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh
3. Mukherjee, Shyam Chand. "Pandu Rajar Dhibi". Banglapedia. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh
4. Mukherjee, Shyam Chand. "Pandu Rajar Dhibi". Banglapedia. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
5. Mukherjee, Shyam Chand. "Pandu Rajar Dhibi". Banglapedia. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
6. Majumdar, R.C., History of Ancient Bengal, 2005 edition, pp. 20-22
 
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This is rather heavy stuff for me. I thought there was some tangible historical record indicating the Jat identity ascribed to Chandravarman.
 
lrburdak said:
Chandravarman: the Jat Ruler in Rarh region(Contd)

It is very interesting to known about the Kingdom of Chandravarman and his capital. Some reputed historians interpreted his capital Pushakarana with Pokhran in Rajasthan. Thakur Deshraj interpreted with Pushkar. Now we have obtained authentic Inscription about Chandravarman and his capital.

Susunia inscription of Chandravarman dated 4th century AD

The Indian Archaeology Blogspot[1] provides us following information about Susunia inscriptions of 4th Century A D From Ancient History of Bengal, vol. I, on Susunia inscriptions:

The Susunia Rock inscription,the earliest reference to the cult of Vaishnavism, is a short Sanskrit inscription in three lines engraved in Brahmi script on Susunia hill, recording the installation of an image of Vishnu during the reign of Chandravarman.

The first two lines of it incised below a big wheel (chakra) with flaming rib and hub, refer to it as the work of the illustrious Maharaja Chandravarman, the lord of Pushkarna....

The third line is incised to the right of the wheel, but its reading and consequently its meaning is not very clear. It certainly refers to the dedication (of the cave) to Chakrasvamin, which literally means the 'wielder of the discuss, i.e., Vishnu...It may be reasonably inferred that the excavated cave, on the wall of which the inscription was incised, was intended to be a temple of Vishnu. Suniti Chattapadhaya "holds that Puskarana mentioned in Susuniya inscription is the modern Pokarnya or Pakharna situated in Bankura District of which Candravarma was the king." (Prachin Vanger Puskarna-janapad - in Vangasri, 1339-40 B.S., 1932-33 A.D., pt. 1, p. 135-136).

On the rock face another script is visible, which is "Sankha Lipi (script)" from a period between 8th to 10th Century A.D. Till date this Sankha Lipi can not be deciphered. Many observe this not as script but symbols.

Radhakumud Mookerji [2] writes that Susunia Rock inscription describes Chandravarma as ruler of Pushakarana (village near Susunia hill in Bankura district). The Susunia inscription describes Chandravarma as son of Simhavarma. Mandsaur inscription of Malwa year 461 = AD 404 also mentions Simhavarma,son of Jayavarma and father of Naravarma. The Gangdhar inscription of Malwa year 480 = AD 423 mentions Vishvavarma as son of Naravarma. The Mandsaur inscription of Malwa year 493 = AD 436 and 529 = AD 472 refers to Gopta Nripa Vishvavarma and his son nripa Bandhuvarma as feudatories at Dashapur under Kumaragupta I. Thus these three inscriptions testify to the following line of Malwa Kings:

Simhavarma → Naravarma (AD 404) → Vishvavarma (AD 423) → Bandhuvarma (AD 426)

The Simhavarma of this list is counted by H P Sastri as identical with Simhavarma, with his son Chandravarma, as mentioned in the Susunia inscription, in which case Chandravarma becomes a brother of Naravarma.

References -

1. Indian Archaeology Blogspot
2. The Gupta Empire,p.9
Click to expand...

Thanks Burdak ji for good piece of well researched information.
 
drssrana2003 said:
This is rather heavy stuff for me. I thought there was some tangible historical record indicating the Jat identity ascribed to Chandravarman.
Click to expand...

Ranasahab I have quoted a portion of Malwa Jat Rulers' history by Thakur Deshraj at post No. 600 in this very thread. He has identified these Malwa Rulers as Jats and mentioned so. Malwa Jat rulers we have discussed many timeson Jatland also. Chandravarman moved from Malwa to Pakhanna or Pushkarana (पुष्करन) town in Bankura district in West Bengal that is Rarh region as mentioned above.
 
How Jats came to Rarh region ?

Normally we do not think of presence of Jats outside the Jat Belt, particularly this remote far off area known as Rarh region or Gangaridai by the Greeks. Let us find some historical evidences.

From the following discussion it becomes clear that Jats being the followers of Buddhism continued their dominance in this eastern part of India till the rule of Harshavardhana (b.590–r.606-647 AD).

After the fall of Harshavardhana, the Jats from Rarh region probably returned to the present Jat Belt. This is a matter of further research !!!

Mauryan Empire (322–185 BCE) - Originating from the kingdom of Magadha in eastern side of the Indian subcontinent, the empire had its capital city at Pataliputra (modern Patna). The Empire was founded in 322 BCE by Chandragupta Maurya, who had overthrown the Nanda Dynasty and rapidly expanded his power. Mahavamsha describes Chandra Gupta Maurya as coming of Kshatriya clan of Maurya: "Mauryanam Khattyanam vamsha jata". (Geiger Trans p 27). It means "Mauryas are Kshatriyas of Jat clan".

Gupta Empire (320 AD - 540 AD) also covered this area. The period of this Jat Empire is considered to be the Golden period in the History of India. K P Jayaswal in his eminently scholarly book :An Imperial History Of India (C 700 BC – C 770 AD.) has spotted and brought out the fact that the second Guptas, (Chandra Gupta II, Samudra Gupta etc circa 200 BCE to 600 BCE) were Jats, who came originally form the Mathura area. They were of the “ Dharan” Gotra, as shown by the inscription of the Prabhavatigupta Plate, where she gives her father’s (and her) gotra as Dharan.

Harshavardhana (b.590–r.606-647 AD) was a Buddhist Jat emperor whose reign extended to this area also. He is considered to be the founder Sarva Khaps. He appointed many officers from the Khaps in the administration of this region. Readers may see the extent of Harsha's rein here -

http://www.jatland.com/home/File:Harsha_Kingdom.jpg

Note - If the Jat clans ruled the area they might have left evidences in the form of place names or names of Rivers or mountains after their clans. We will try to find out in next posts.
 
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Places in Rarh region after Jat clans

Since the Jat clans ruled the area called Rarh region they have left evidences in the form of place names after their clans. We enumerate a few ancient places after some clans, which can not be said to be a mere coincidence:

Samma clan

According to Bhim Singh Dahiya[1] Arjuna conquers in Mahabharata (II.24.20) Suhma and Chola in the North. The Suhma are the Summa of Sindh at the time of Arab invasion, and the Chola/ Chahal clan, respectively. The Samma came to this eastern region and termed it Suhma as mentioned in Mahabharata (II.27.14,23) which was conquered by Bhima.

Gangas clan

Gangas is gotra of Jats found in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh. This gotra originated from a place named Garhmukteshwar (गढ़मुक्तेश्वर) on the banks of the river Ganges. Being on the banks of Ganga they were called Gangas. [2] Megasthenes has described about this clan in his Indica as Gangarides. Probably Gangas clan gave the name Gangaridae.

Rarh clan

We have already discussed that probably the Nagavanshi King Rattha/Rāṭṭha (राट्ठ) may be their ancestor in this region,who gave the name Radh. They came to Rajasthan and Sindh regions in about either 540 AD or 647 AD after the fall of Gupta empire or Harsha Empire.

Bir or Birda clan

Bir is a Muslim Jat clan found in Pakistan. Its Rajasthani equivalent word is Birda clan found in Rajasthan and Haryana. The Birbhum district of West Bengal in Rarh Region bears the name of Bir kings, who ruled in the area.[3][4]

References -

1. Jats the Ancient Rulers ( A clan study), p. 290
2. Mahendra Singh Arya et al.: Adhunik Jat Itihas, Agra 1998, p. 236
3. O'Malley, L.S.S., "Bengal District Gazeteers - Birbhum", 1996 reprint, pp. 1-9, Govt. of West Bengal
4. Maiti, Prakash Chandra, Birbhum in the Backdrop of Pre-history, Paschim Banga, Birbhum Special Issue, pp. 15–28
 
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lrburdak said:
How Jats moved to Rarh region ?

ठाकुर देशराज[जाट इतिहास:पृ.709-710] के अनुसार मालवा का सिंहवर्मा समुद्रगुप्त का समकालीन था। समुद्रगुप्त गुप्त-वंश का परम प्रतापी राजा हुआ है जिसका कि शासन ईसवी सन् 335 से 385 तक बताया जाता है। सिंहवर्मा के दो पुत्र चन्द्रवर्मा और नरवर्मा हुए। चन्द्रवर्मा ने मालवा से हटकर पुष्करन (मारवाड़?) में राज्य स्थापित किया और नरवर्मा मालव-राज बने रहे। नरवर्मा के पुत्र हुए, बंधुवर्मा और भीमवर्मा। गुप्तों का प्रभाव बढ़ गया था इसलिए बंधुवर्मा को उज्जैन के गुप्त राजाओं की अधीनता स्वीकार करनी पड़ी। भीमवर्मा ने कुमारगुप्त प्रथम के पुत्र स्कंदगुप्त विक्रमादित्य के यहां सामन्त के स्थान पर रहना स्वीकार कर लिया और वह सम्भवतः कौशाम्बी का सामन्त बनाया गया। स्कन्दगुप्त का समय ईसवी सन् 455 से 467 तक का है।

गुप्त-वंश के स्कंधगुप्त विक्रमादित्य के चालीस वर्ष पश्चात् उज्जैन की राजगद्दी पर भानुगुप्त बालादित्य बैठता है। जाट नरेश यशोधर्मा के साथ हूणों को हराने में इसी बालदित्य का नाम आता है। यदि बंधुवर्मा के बाद विष्णुवर्द्धन का नाम जोड़ दें तो यह वंश-सूची इस प्रकार बन जाती है -

सिंहवर्मा,
इनके दो हुए - चन्द्रवर्मा और नरवर्मा।
नरवर्मा का एक पुत्र था - विश्ववर्मा।
इसके दो पुत्र हुए - रघुवर्मा और भीमवर्मा।
रघुवर्मा का पुत्र विष्णुवर्द्धन था और इनका यशोधर्मा,
यशोधर्मा का शीलादित्य हुआ।

नोट - ठाकुर देशराज ने ऊपर मालवा के जाट राजाओं का इतिहास दिया है। लिखा है कि चन्द्रवर्मा पुष्करन (मारवाड़?) चले गए और आगे उनको विस्मृत कर दिया गया है। हमने पिछले थ्रेड में दिये गए राढ़ क्षेत्र के विवरण के परिपेक्ष में खोज को आगे बढ़ाया तो पाते हैं कि चन्द्रवर्मा राजस्थान के पुष्कर (मारवाड़) न जाकर पुष्करन (बांकुरा जिला) पश्चिम बंगाल गए थे। यह
राढ़ क्षेत्र का भाग है। ठाकुर देशराज के ऑनलाइन इतिहास में इस प्रकार सुधारकर नोट अंकित किया गया है। यह तथ्य जाट राजाओं के राढ़ क्षेत्र में जाने की पुष्टि करता है।
Click to expand...


1 Smudra Gupta ruled from 335 to 375 A.D. Thakur's DATES ARE NOT CORRECT.

2. Vishnuvardhan of Yashodgarma's Mndasaur stone inscription is another name of Yashodharman vide ' narapati sa eva '. So bringing in here another Vishnuvardhana in any other relation ship is uncalled for'

3. Thre is no evidence of bringing in Chandra varma, Raghu varma and relationship of Bandhuvarma of the Malava house with these names except speculation. Risthal inscription has established the line YASHODHARMAN EMINENTLY. Please quote if there is any evidence supporting claims of Deshraj Rhakur.
 
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I would like to add here that writers like B,S. Dahiya have made unsuccessful attempt in dragging the date of the Vishnuvardhan of Bijayagarh Pillar Inscrition by ignoring the given name of the era (Krit=Malava = Vikrama) 428 simply to take it in proximity of that of Yashodharman i.e. 589 malava samvat. 428 malava samvat would be far from it. Dahiya imagined this clear cut date in krit=malava =vikrama as that of the shaka era.
 
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lrburdak said:
How Jats came to Rarh region ?

Normally we do not think of presence of Jats outside the Jat Belt, particularly this remote far off area known as Rarh region or Gangaridai by the Greeks. Let us find some historical evidences.

From the following discussion it becomes clear that Jats being the followers of Buddhism continued their dominance in this eastern part of India till the rule of Harshavardhana (b.590–r.606-647 AD).

After the fall of Harshavardhana, the Jats from Rarh region probably returned to the present Jat Belt. This is a matter of further research !!!

Mauryan Empire (322–185 BCE) - Originating from the kingdom of Magadha in eastern side of the Indian subcontinent, the empire had its capital city at Pataliputra (modern Patna). The Empire was founded in 322 BCE by Chandragupta Maurya, who had overthrown the Nanda Dynasty and rapidly expanded his power. Mahavamsha describes Chandra Gupta Maurya as coming of Kshatriya clan of Maurya: "Mauryanam Khattyanam vamsha jata". (Geiger Trans p 27). It means "Mauryas are Kshatriyas of Jat clan".

Gupta Empire (320 AD - 540 AD) also covered this area. The period of this Jat Empire is considered to be the Golden period in the History of India. K P Jayaswal in his eminently scholarly book :An Imperial History Of India (C 700 BC – C 770 AD.) has spotted and brought out the fact that the second Guptas, (Chandra Gupta II, Samudra Gupta etc circa 200 BCE to 600 BCE) were Jats, who came originally form the Mathura area. They were of the “ Dharan” Gotra, as shown by the inscription of the Prabhavatigupta Plate, where she gives her father’s (and her) gotra as Dharan.

Harshavardhana (b.590–r.606-647 AD) was a Buddhist Jat emperor whose reign extended to this area also. He is considered to be the founder Sarva Khaps. He appointed many officers from the Khaps in the administration of this region. Readers may see the extent of Harsha's rein here -

http://www.jatland.com/home/File:Harsha_Kingdom.jpg

Note - If the Jat clans ruled the area they might have left evidences in the form of place names or names of Rivers or mountains after their clans. We will try to find out in next posts.
Click to expand...

Several issues need to bre clarified here. The reading kshatriyanam vansh (e) jaja simply means born in

the vansha (family) of the Kshatriyas. The translation as given in the quoted post is not supported by the

syntax.

2. how can jat be a caste and a clan at the same time? as (prposed in the translation above)
 
Rana Saheb you have raised very valid questions and let us continue our research going on ! Le the members come forward!! Meanwhile I give some important facts and evidences about Mund clan in next thread.
 
History of Mund Clan

Moond (मूंड) Munda (मुण्ड)[1] Mund (मूंड) Mund (मुंड)/(मुण्ड)[2] Mund (मून्द)/Moond (मूण्ड)[3] Moondh (मूंढ)[4] is a clan of Jats. Moond Jats are found in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana in India. Mund/Munda (Kachwaha) clan is found in Afghanistan.[5]

Origin

James Tod writes that Moondraj was son of Mangal Rao, who was son of Raja Bhatti, grandson of Raja Baland and great grandson of Salivahana (S.72 = AD 16). The offspring of Moondraj are the Moonds[6]

Mundas in Mahabharata

Adi Parva, Mahabharata/Mahabharata Book I Chapter 57 tells Names of all those Nagas that fell into the fire of the snake-sacrifice. Munda is mentioned in shloka 12 as Nagas of race of Takshaka.

ऐण्डिलः कुण्डलॊ मुण्डॊ वेणि सकन्धः कुमारकः
बाहुकः शृङ्गवेगश च धूर्तकः पातपातरौ

Aswamedha Parva in English, Mahabharata Book 14:Section VIII, mentions about Mundas

हरि केशाय मुण्डाय कृशायॊत्तारणाय च
भास्कराय सुतीर्दाय देवदेवाय रंहसे (XIV.8.15)

They have been mentioned in Mahabharata Shalya Parva as Mundagriva.

The Mahabharata, Book 9: Shalya Parva, Chapter 44, shloka 90 mentions Munda as under:

तरिशिठा दविशिखाश चैव तदा सप्त शिखाः परे
शिखण्डिनॊ मुकुटिनॊ मुण्डाश च जटिलास तदा (IX.44.90)

मण्डॊदरी च तुण्डा च कॊटरा मेघवासिनी
सुभगा लम्बिनी लम्बा वसु चूडा विकत्दनी (IX.45.17)


Kurukshetra War Day-3 in Mahabharata[10] mentions Mundas fighting with Kauravas.


Mundas in Puranas

Vishnu Purana - Mundas have been mentioned as Marúńd́as as rulers of Magadha in Vishnu_Purana/Book_IV:Chapter_XXIV[11] along with Sarúńd́as and Purúńd́as. Vishnu Purana[12] gives list of Kings who ruled Magadha. ...After these, various races will reign, as seven Ábhíras, ten Garddhabas, sixteen Śakas, eight Yavanas, fourteen Tusháras, thirteen Mundas, eleven Maunas, altogether seventy-nine princes , who will be sovereigns of the earth for one thousand three hundred and ninety years.

History

Hisar gets its name from Jats who came from Afghanistan from place known as Bal Hisar or Mood Hisar or Hisar, a town in Afghanistan. Hisar is an abundant city in Afghanistan. Bal Hisar city was founded by Balhara gotra jats and Mood Hisar city by Moond gotra jats in Afganistan. [13]

B S Dahiya[14] writes about Mund - The Vishnu Purana says that 13 kings of Munda clan shall rule over India for 200 years. But history, as known today, does not indicate the existence of any such reign. The fault lies with history, not with the Mundas, who did rule over India for two centuries. According to J. Allan, "We have considerable evidence to show that in the early centuries of the Christian era, the Murunda (Mund) kingdom was a powerful one, covering a greater part of the Ganga valley, and that the dynasty was a foreign one."[15] We have maintained that all the Jats, Gujars, Ahirs (the later Rajputs) came from outside in different waves. No wonder, that the Munds, ruling at Magadha, were found to be kings of foreign origin.

According to Jat historians this gotra gets name after place called Mandovar (मंडोवर).[16] Bhim Singh Dahiya writes that the Allahabad pillar inscription of Samudragupta mentions about Munda clan.[17] Abhidhana Chintamani of Hema Chandra Says, “ Lampakastu Murundah Syuh” showing that they were considered Sakas. Murunda is a Saka/Scythian title, meaning Chief/ Head.


Dr Pema Ram writes that after the invasion of Alexander in 326 BC, the Jats of Sindh and Punjab migrated to Rajasthan. They built tanks, wells and Bawadis near their habitations. The tribes migrated were: Shivis, Yaudheyas, Malavas, Madras etc. The Shivi tribe which came from Ravi and Beas Rivers founded towns like Sheo, Sojat, Siwana, Shergarh, Shivganj etc. This area was adjoining to Sindh and mainly inhabited by Jats. The Jats of Gotra Mund came to Nagaur via Bhatiana. [18]


H.A. Rose[19] refers By Mr. W. S. Talbot in the Jhelum Gazetteer, 1905, pp. 102— 104, who mentions the Gangs and Munds who are generally reckoned as Awans, but who are probably only affiliated indigenous clans.


Megasthenes has mentioned them as Monedes and ruling in two Kingdoms as under.

3. Ganges - The Mandei (Munda/Manda), and the Malli (Malli), the Gangarides (Ghangas+Rad), the Calingae (Kalinga), the Prasii (Magadha), the Modogalingae: The tribes called Calingae (Kalinga) are nearest the sea, and higher up are the Mandei (Munda/Manda), and the Malli in whose, country is Mount Mallus, the boundary of all that district being the Ganges.


The royal city of the Calingae (Kalinga) is called Parthalis. Over their king 60,000 foot-soldiers, 1,000 horsemen, 700 elephants keep watch and ward in "procinct of war. There is a very large island in the Ganges which is inhabited by a single tribe Modogalingae

8. After these, but more inland ...Are the Monedes (Moond) and Suari (Soora, Sheoran)...In those country is Mount Maleus; The river Jomanes flows through the Palibothri into the Ganges between the towns Methora (Mathura) and Carisobora (Krishnapura).

Alexander Cunningham[20] writes about Visit of Sangala by Xuanzang in 630 & 633 AD. He writes that The Sangala of Alexander has long ago been recognized in the Sakala of the Brahmans and the Sāgal of the Buddhists. He has identified Sakala with Sanglawala Tiba, which is a small rocky hill forming two sides of a triangle, with the open side towards the south-east. On the cast and south sides the approach to the hill is covered by a large swamp, half a mile in length, and nearly a quarter of a mile in breadth, which dries up annually in the summer, but during the seasonal rains has a general depth of about 3 feet. In the time of Alexander this must have been a fine sheet of water, which has been gradually lessened in depth by the annual washings of silt from the hill above. On the north-eastern side of the hill there are the remains of two large buildings, from which I obtained old bricks of the enormous size of 17½ by 11 by 3 inches. Close by there is an old well which was lately cleared out by some of the wandering tribes. On the north-western side, 1000 feet distant, there is a low ridge of rock called Munda-ka-pura, from 26 to 30 feet in height, and about 500 feet in length, which has formerly been covered with brick buildings. At 1¾ mile to the south, there is another ridge of three small hills, called Arna and little Sangala.


James Tod writes that Chandravanshi King Prithibahu, son of Naba became prince of Marusthali. He had a son Bahubal, who espoused Kamlavati Puar, daughter of Vijaya Singh, Prince of Malwa. His son Bahu was killed by a fall from his horse ; he left one son, Subahu, who was poisoned by his wife, a daughter of Mund Raja Chohan of Ajmer : he left a son, Rijh, who reigned twelve years. He was married to Subhag Sundri, daughter of Ber Sing, prince of Malwa. His son was Raja Gaj. [21]

Rawal Moond

James Tod writes that Bhatti Chief Deoraj had two sons, Moond and Chadu ; the last, by a wife of the Baraha tribe, had five sons, whose descendants were styled Chada Rajputs. Deoraj excavated several large lakes in the territory of Khadal (in which Deorawal is situated) ; one at Tanot is called Tanosar ; another, after himself, Deosar. Having one day gone to hunt, slightly attended, he was attacked by an ambush of the Channa Rajputs, and slain with twenty-six of his attendants, after having reigned fifty-live years. His kin and clans shaved their locks and moustaches, excepting Moond.[22]

Rawal Moond, who succeeded Deoraj, and performed all the ceremonies during the twelve days. Having made his ablutions with the water from sixty-eight different wells, in which were immersed the leaves of one hundred and eight different shrubs and trees, a female of spotless virtue waved the burning frankincense over his head. Before him was placed the punchamrita, consisting of curds, milk, butter, sugar, and honey ; likewise pearls, gems, the royal umbrella, the grass called doob, various flowers, a looking-glass, a young virgin, a chariot, a flag or banner, the vela flower, seven sorts of grain, two fish, a horse, a nukhunk (unknown), a bullock, a shell, a lotus, a vessel of water, the tail of the wild ox (chaonr), a sword, a female calf, a litter, yellow clay, and prepared food. Then, seated on the lion's hide, — (on which were painted the seven dwipas or continents of Hindu cosmography, appareled in the dress of the Jogi, and covered with ashes (bhabhut), with the mudra in his ears), — the white chaonr (ox-tail) was waved over his head, and he was inaugurated on the gadi of Deoraj, while the Purohit and chiefs presented their offerings. The teeka-dour was against the assassins of his father, who had congregated for defence, eight hundred of whom were put to death. [23]

Rawal Moond had one son, who was called Bachara. When about fourteen years of age the coco-nut came from Bullub-sen Solanki, Raja of Patun.[24]

According to H.A. Rose[25] Jat clans associated with Bhattis are: Lahar, Sara, Bharon, Makar, Mond, Kohar, Saharan, Isharwal, Khetalan, Jatai, Khodma, Bloda, Batho and Dhokia.[26]
 
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History of Mund Clan (Contd)

Mundas the rulers in Magadha

Bhim Singh Dahiya has mentioned about the rule of Munda people in Magadha. The inscriptional evidences show that Jat rulers and tribes in north India from Kabul to Cuttack, in the period following the disintegration of Kushanas empire. Particularly Magadha area was under the rule of people who had the title, Murunda. They are admitted to be Sakas or Scythians. [27]

The Geographike of Ptolemy says that in 140 AD, the Murundas were established in the valley of the river Sarabos or Sarayu. [28] Half a century later, Oppien mentions the "Muruandien" as a Gangetic people. [29] S R Goyal quotes several other Jain authorities to show that Patliputra in particular, as well as Kanyakubja were ruled by Murundas/Sakas. The Jain ascetic, Padlipta Suri, cured the Murunda ruler of Patliputra of terrible headache and converted him to Jainism. [30] During the reign of Wu dynasty (220 - 227 AD) Fan Chen, the King of Kambodia, according to PC Bagchi sent his relative as ambassador to the Indian King of Patliputra. The ambassador was heartily welcomed and the gesture was returned by the Indian king who sent two men as ambassador as well as four horses of the Yue-chi i.e. the Jat country, as presents to the King of Kambodia. According to this account Buddhism was in prosperous state at that time in Magadha and the title of the king was Meouloun. This title has been identified with Murunda and this shows that in the middle of third century AD the Murundas were still ruling over Patliputra. [31] These Murunda rulers of Patliputra had special relations with Peshawar. It was but natural, for, after all Murundas and Kushanas both belonged to the same Scithian stock. [32]

From this it is clear that racially the rulers of Magadha in the third century AD were identical with Kushanas, ruling Afghanistan. In the Puranas they are mentioned as ruling India after the Tukharas (Takhar Jats) and Puranas also say that 13 kings of Murunda dynasty ruled India. It is significant that the Puranas also mention that these Murunda rulers destroyed the caste system and, in the language of Purans, they raised "low caste people" to high offices and all these people were of "Mleccha" origin. The Vishnu Purana correctly gives the clan name of these people as Munda - a still existing Jat clan. The title Murunda means "Lord", in Saka language, as per Sten Konow. [33]

Thus the literary evidence and evidence of Puranas shows that immediately before the Guptas, the Mundas were ruling over Magadha and their rule lasted for about two centuries, by taking 15 years for one rule. It is unfortunate that none of the thirteen rulers, is even named in the Indian history. This is really a pity for the Indian historians. Apparently, all this was deliberately done to remove all traces of the rule of the Jats which lasted for many centuries in all parts of India. It is possible that the Puranas, which were revised during or after the Gupta age, deliberately excluded details of these Jat rulers. [34]

Thus inscriptional as well as the literary and Puranic evidence shows that various Jat clans ruling in North India. The Varikas, the Mauryas, the Mundas, the Kushanas, the Taanks, etc. are of them. Various other clans having republic governments, mentioned in the Allahabad Pillar inscription of Samudragupta, are still existing Jat clans. This clear picture of different Jat clans ruling in different parts of north India is striking and can not be ignored by any writer of Indian history. [35]

Khoh Copper-plate Inscription of the Maharaja Sharvanatha (533-534 CE), a kalachuri king, mentions to be born of a Murunda Maharani and Mahârâja Jayanâtha:

(Line 6.)— His son, who meditates on his feet, the Mahârâja Sharvanâtha,— begotten on the Mahâdêvi Murundasvâminî — being in good health, issues a command to the residents, beginning with. the Brâhmans, at the villages of Vyâghrapallika and Kâcharapallika in the Maninâga pêtha.

Mundesvari Temple by Munda Raja

Mundesvari Temple (मुण्डेश्वरी मंदिर) is one of very ancient temples of Bihar, at village Ramgarh, situated on the Pawara hill, 10 km from Bhabua (भबुवा) town, which is in Kaimur district in Bihar. An inscription[36] in two broken pieces was found in this temple and has been interpreted by some historians to identify the origin of the temple to the year 635 A.D. The inscription refers to Udayasena, the Kulapati Bhagudalana, as the ruling chief and records various donations to Mandalesvara. Francis Buchanan, in his account of the District of Shahabad in 1812-13, has left a description of the Mundesvari temple and the tradition associated with it. According to Buchanan it was constructed by a certain Munda Raja, whom people pretty generally call a Chero Raja.[37]

Mundeswari River


Mundeswari river is a small river in West Bengal which causes floods in Hooghly, Purba Medinipur and Howrah districts during the monsoons.

It originates as a canal from Srirampur, a village in Madabdihi at the police station in Raina II block of the Bardhaman district. It flows past Kaiti Chakbhura and enters the Hooghly District. It ultimately flows into the Rupnarayan River.[38]


The river is not mentioned in the 1910 district gazetteers, but it is mentioned in the 1994 Bardhaman District gazetteer.[39]

During the devastating floods of 1914, the Damodar River split in two. One part joined the Mundeswari and the main channel of water of the Damodar now flows into the Mundeswari, turning it into a major river.[40]
Mundasthala in Sirohi district

Mungthala (मुंगथला) (Mungathala) is a village in Abu Road tahsil of Sirohi district in Rajasthan. This name occurs in number of epigraphs of 12th century as Mundasthala (मुण्डस्थल). This proves its antiquity. This was a sacred Shvetambara Jaina tirtha sacred to Mahavira. In an inscription of 14th century it is called Mahatirtha. [41]

Mundasthala (मुण्डस्थल) indicates the presence of Mund Gotra Jats in the Sirohi area in ancient times.

Bard's view of Origin

According to the bard of this dynasty king Gaj of Ghazni had two sons named Mangal Rao and Masur Rao. Mangal Rao was the ruler of Lahore and Masur Rao of Sialkot. Foreign invaders drove both of them out of their kingdoms. Masur Rao fled away to the deserts of Rajasthan. He had two sons named Abhai Rao and Saran Rao. Descendants of Abhai Rao came to be called Bhurhya Bhatti and those of Saran Rao, Saran. Mangal Rao had six sons, named Mojam Rao, Gulrish, Moolraj, Sheoraj, Kewl Rao and Phul Rao. Descendants of Gulrish came to be called Gloraya or Kiliraya, those of Moolraj, Munda and those Sheoraj, Sheoran. Descendants of Kewal Rao and Phul Rao adopted pottery as their profession and were called Kumhar.[42] [43]

Bhim Singh Dahiya [44] quotes Kalhana and states that Bhatti had two sons, Masur Rao and Mangal Rao. Masur Rao had two sons, Abhe Rao and Saran Rao. The sons of Abhe are called Abhoria and "Saran quarreled with and separated from his brother, and his issues descended to the rank of cultivators and are well known as Saran Juts".[45] The second son, Mangal Rao, had six sons, and he fled from his kingdom leaving his children in hiding with a banker; they were married in Jut families and thus Kalloria, Munda and Seora Jat clans, are named after the three sons of Mangal Rao. (The names of these clans, however, are Kallar, Mund and Seoran, respectively.)


Ramesh Chandra Gunarthi[46], in his book "Rajasthani Jatiyon ki Khoj" (1977), has mentioned about the origin of this gotra. One of the sons of Raja Mangal Rao Bhojsi of Bhati clan was Moonda who joined Jats. The descendants of Moonda are known as Moond. The capital of Moond Kings was at village Mandore in Jodhpur district. Some Other places connected with the history of Moonds are Munda (Churu district), Mundsar (Bikaner district), Mundara (Pali district), Mandawa (Jhunjhunu district) etc.


People belonging to Kiliraya and Munda gotras are found in Bikaner State.

It is interesting to not that bards have shown association of Kulharia and Mund clans. This gets evidence in the form of a town called Kulharia, a village in Bhojpur district in Bihar, India. It is located near the confluence of the Ganges and Sone Rivers, some 24 miles from Danapur and 36 miles from Patna.
 
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History of Mund Clan (Contd)

References:

1.O.S.Tugania:Jat Samuday ke Pramukh Adhar Bindu,p.56,s.n. 2080
2.B S Dahiya:Jats the Ancient Rulers (A clan study), p.241, s.n.150
3. Jat History Dalip Singh Ahlawat/Parishisht-I, s.n. म-53
4.O.S.Tugania:Jat Samuday ke Pramukh Adhar Bindu,p.56,s.n. 2080
5. An Inquiry Into the Ethnography of Afghanistan,H. W. Bellew, p.131
6. James Tod: Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, Volume II, Annals of Jaisalmer, p.204
7. The Jats:Their Origin, Antiquity and Migrations/Appendices/Appendix No.1
8. Yadu Vamsavali of Bharatpur given by Ganga Singh in his book 'Yadu Vamsa', Part 1, Bharatpur Rajvansa Ka Itihas (1637-1768), Bharatpur, 1967, pp. 19-21
9. James Tod: Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, Volume II, Annals of Jaisalmer, p.196-201
10. (Mahabharata 6.56)
11. The Vishnu Purana, translated by Horace Hayman Wilson, 1840, p. 475
12. Vishnu Purana/Book IV:Chapter XXIV pp.474-476
13. Jat Samaj, Agra : March 1998
14. Jats the Ancient Rulers (A clan study)/Jat Clan in India,p. 266
15. B. N. Puri, India under the Kusanas, p. 51.
16. Mahendra Singh Arya et al: Adhunik Jat Itihas, p. 276
17. Bhim Singh Dahiya, Jats The Ancient Rulers, p. 234-235
18. Dr Pema Ram:Rajasthan Ke Jaton Ka Itihas, p.14
19. A glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province By H.A. Rose Vol II/A,pp.26 f.n 4
20. The Ancient Geography of India/Taki,pp.179, 182-183
21. James Tod: Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, Volume II, Annals of Jaisalmer, p.197
22. James Tod: Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, Volume II, Annals of Jaisalmer, p.215-216
23. James Tod: Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, Volume II, Annals of Jaisalmer, p.216
24. James Tod: Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, Volume II, Annals of Jaisalmer, p.216
25. A glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province By H.A. Rose Vol II/J,p.376
26. Jats the Ancient Rulers (A clan study)/Appendices/Appendix I,p.316
27. Bhim Singh Dahiya, Jats The Ancient Rulers, p.188
28. P C Bagchi, op. cit., p.133
29. S. Chatopadhyaya, Ethnic History of North India, p.117
30. S R Goyal, A history of Imperial Guptas, p. 57
31.PC Bagchi, op. cit., p. 134
32.Bhim Singh Dahiya, Jats The Ancient Rulers, p.189
33.Bhim Singh Dahiya, Jats The Ancient Rulers, p.189 - 190
34.Bhim Singh Dahiya, Jats The Ancient Rulers, p.190
35.Bhim Singh Dahiya, Jats The Ancient Rulers, p.191
36.Epigraphia Indica Vol. IX, p.290
37.http://www.hindubooks.org/temples/bihar/mundesvari/index.htm
38.Chattopadhyay, Akkori, Bardhaman Jelar Itihas O Lok Sanskriti (History and Folk lore of Bardhaman District.), (Bengali), Vol I, p 33, Radical Impression. ISBN 81-85459-36-3
39.Chattopadhyay, Akkori, Bardhaman Jelar Itihas O Lok Sanskriti (History and Folk lore of Bardhaman District.), (Bengali), Vol I, p 33, Radical Impression. ISBN 81-85459-36-3
40. Chattopadhyay, Akkori, Bardhaman Jelar Itihas O Lok Sanskriti (History and Folk lore of Bardhaman District.), (Bengali), Vol I, p 33, Radical Impression. ISBN 81-85459-36-3
41. Encyclopaedia of Jainism, Volume-1 By Indo-European Jain Research Foundation p.5530
42. Ram Swarup Joon: History of the Jats/Chapter V, S.No.82
43. Jat Samaj: Agra, October, 1993
44 Jats the Ancient Rulers (A clan study)/Relationship with the Aryans,p. 118
45. Kalhan: Rajatataraingini, VII,p.250
46. Ramesh Chandra Gunarthi, Savar, Ajmer (1977): Rajasthani Jatiyon ki khoj
47. by-Madho Singh Moond
48. James Tod: Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, Volume II, Annals of Jaisalmer, p.204
 
The name of the relevant clan/tribe in the Allahabad inscription is Murund and not Mund as ascribed to Dahiya. Demand of offering daughters between Jasts is normal. Why do we have it raised by one clan-dhaarana in the inscription, we may examine.
 
drssrana2003 said:
The name of the relevant clan/tribe in the Allahabad inscription is Murund and not Mund as ascribed to Dahiya. Demand of offering daughters between Jasts is normal. Why do we have it raised by one clan-dhaarana in the inscription, we may examine.
Click to expand...

Sir, what reason do you visualize for this reported demand by the clan!
 
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